With a scream escaping her lips, Avery's swift and agile movements propelled her toward the endangered child. The wind howled past her ears as she managed to secure the little boy in her arms, narrowly avoiding the passing car. Relief washed over her as if she had just survived a disaster.
Although her heart pounded fiercely, she couldn't hear the child's cry. Panicking, she looked down and realized that he must have been terrified. Hastily releasing him, Avery prepared to offer comfort when she caught sight of his face. Frozen in place, her body turned rigid like a block of wood.The small face before her resembled David's in every way. They were strikingly similar, with handsome features and dark, obsidian-like eyes. Her hand trembled as she realized that this was her child, her son Daniel. Overwhelmed with excitement, words failed her momentarily. But once she regained her composure, she swiftly moved the child to safety.As she looked at his frightened expression, guilt and self-blame surged within Avery's heart. She stammered incoherently, "Daniel, are you okay? My dear, don't be scared. Are you alone? Who were you with?"She spoke rapidly, her words pouring out without pause. The little boy appeared weak, his face pale. Avery could tell at a glance that he not only suffered from leukemia, but also had psychological issues.In that moment, the boy's small hand reached up to touch his head uncomfortably. Avery deduced that severe psychological illness might be causing his headaches. Taking hold of his wrist, she checked his pulse and retrieved the medicine she had brought."Good boy, once you take this, your head won't hurt anymore."At first, the child hesitated, eyeing her warily. It was only when he saw the name of the medicine that he reluctantly opened his mouth and swallowed it. Avery's joy nearly brought tears to her eyes.For the past six years, she had endured countless sleepless nights filled with dreams and nightmares, endlessly worrying about him. She fretted over his well-being and wondered if Elliot despised her to the point of mistreating their child. She feared he had found him a stepmother.Now, there was no room for doubt. Watching her son crossing the road alone, she realized her worst nightmares had become a reality.Elliot was a despicable man. Despite his hatred for her, Daniel was his son. His blood ran through the child's veins, yet he callously abandoned him on the streets. How could there exist such a heartless father under the heavens?Avery clenched her teeth in anger, tightening her grip on the child's hand. No, she would take him away. Six years ago, she lacked the power to keep her son, but things had changed. She now had the means to care for him.As she petted him and offered a small toy, Avery attempted to persuade him to leave with her. "Daniel, why don't you come with Mommy...?"Before she could finish her sentence, an enraged voice erupted from behind her. "What are you doing with my son?"The voice was all too familiar. Without even turning her head, Avery knew it was Elliot. Panicked, she secretly exclaimed as her heart pounded wildly. She hurriedly pressed the brim of her hat lower, grateful for the makeup that disguised her true appearance.Elliot squeezed her wrist forcefully, causing her to groan in pain. "What do you intend to do with my son?"Avery glanced at Daniel's pitiful state and realized he must have endured much abuse at Elliot's hands over the past six years. Her anger surged within her.It was time to settle the score. She hadn't even uttered a word before he began finding fault?Fiercely wrenching her wrist free, Avery turned slightly but dared not look up. She scolded him with anger, "What have I done?"Adding, "Do you even have the audacity to ask me what I'm doing? How can there be such an irresponsible father like you under the heavens? You left our child alone in the middle of the road while you enjoyed yourself!"Elliot was stunned by the intensity of her anger. He couldn't comprehend why he felt a strange sense of familiarity in her presence. However, he couldn't see her face.Observing his silence and lack of fear, Avery's fiery indignation blazed even brighter. "You have nothing to say, do you? Do you realize that he was standing all alone in the middle of a busy road, too scared to cross? A car nearly collided with him! Do you understand that some drivers are reckless? Leaving a sick child like this, is that how a humane person behaves?"She longed to slap him right then and there. What a despicable man!Elliot gazed at her, attempting to comprehend her words. Sick? How did she know the child was sick?Just then, a young woman dressed casually with a ponytail rushed over in a panic and placed a teddy bear in the child's arms. She spoke apologetically, "Daniel, I'm sorry. I went too far. I helped you get the bear you wanted. Can you forgive me? Next time, I'll be with you."As Avery observed the scene, her eyebrows furrowed. She scrutinized the woman before her—her petite figure, delicate face, and youthful appearance. Avery couldn't help but think that Elliot's taste in women was rather immature.She glanced at the pink teddy bear in Daniel's arms and couldn't understand how the woman could think he wanted it. The child's previously expressionless face now furrowed in displeasure. It was evident that he didn't like the bear at all. Avery wondered how the woman failed to see that.Elliot, suspicious of Avery, looked at her briefly before bending down to inspect his son. He took the pink bear from Daniel's hands and tossed it back to the woman. Coldly, he remarked, "He doesn't like th
Elliot glanced at the rearview mirror, his surprise evident as he caught sight of what his son held in his hand. They rarely carried any items with them when they went out, and certainly not such childish toys found in Daniel's grasp. Curiosity piqued, he took advantage of the traffic red light to turn his head and inquire, "Daniel, tell Daddy where you got those ducks from?"Daniel's eyes narrowed, his small pupils conveying a hint of unease. Clutching the little duck protectively, he remained silent, his lips pursed tightly. Elliot's mind drifted back to the encounter he had just had with a woman on the street—an encounter that seemed to have brought him unexpected luck.Daniel had received something from that mysterious woman.Elliot couldn't shake off the peculiar feeling he had whenever he thought about her. It was like a fleeting breeze that slipped through his fingers whenever he tried to grasp it, vanishing in an instant.Sophie, observing Elliot's frustration, grabbed hold of
After years of not seeing her, Susan's eyes were red with emotion as Avery scuttled over to her, shouting excitedly. The woman, although only in her forties, appeared much older due to the hardships she had faced in life. Avery flew into her arms, and Susan embraced her goddaughter tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Avery, is it because I'm about to die that you're finally willing to come and visit me?" Susan playfully complained.Avery wasn't fooled. She knew her initially strict mother had claimed there was an urgent matter, but she had a premonition that it was because Susan was aging and wanted to see her precious daughter one more time. Avery listened to her words, feeling a mix of heartache and guilt."I'm sorry, Mom. Many things have happened in the past few years, and I haven't been able to come back to see you. This time, you'll come with me to the city to live. I can see that your legs and feet aren't as good as they used to be, and I worry about you," Avery thought t
Avery's gaze remained fixed on the television as she read the advertisement silently. In two days, the Stone family would be hosting a contest at their manor. The winner would not only receive a substantial reward but also be offered a high-paying position as the nanny for the Stone family's young master. The qualifications and conditions for participating were listed on the back, emphasizing the requirement of proficient English and a qualification certificate as a psychologist. It was also emphasized that the young master had a difficult temperament and communication would be a challenge, implying that patience and tolerance were necessary qualities for applicants.As Avery absorbed the information, her fists clenched tightly, and she felt an overwhelming urge to scold Daniel's stepmother and Elliot, the person responsible for raising him. How severe was Daniel's temper that it had to be publicly acknowledged? A child should be nurtured and guided from the day they were born. Did El
Outside the door, Elliot stood in the corridor, surrounded by a pile of toys, his silence speaking volumes. He had always believed his son to be obedient and docile, but reality had proven otherwise. Ever since returning from the airport, Daniel had changed. He became quieter, lost his appetite, and refused to sleep through the night. Elliot couldn't understand what was causing this sudden change in his son's behavior.Frustrated and unable to vent his anger on a sick child, Elliot found himself blaming Avery. That woman, he thought bitterly. His subordinates had reported her falling into the river six years ago, but despite his efforts to search for her, he found no trace of her existence, dead or alive. He had long considered her dead and had even contemplated finding another woman to play the role of Daniel's mother. However, he couldn't bear the thought of his son being hurt, so he couldn't rush the process of finding a suitable stepmother.His mind was fixed on a particular perso
The competition had a specific rule: each contestant would team up with a child. Together, they would enter a maze-like dream castle, and the adults must come out of exit A within a limited time, while the children must exit through exit B. The team that completed the task first would win rewards and the opportunity to babysit the young master.As Avery looked at the scene layout, she frowned in disapproval. The maze resembled a prison cell, and she believed that even though Daniel was a boy, he still deserved an environment that reflected innocence. She disagreed with someone's aesthetic choice in designing the maze.Avery completed the written test at the office and then joined the line at the practice office. However, she soon realized that she didn't have a partner. She had forgotten that each contestant must line up with a small child at the entrance, and there were already numerous people waiting for the referee's order.As Avery joined the line alone, countless eyes fell upon h
Daniel blinked as he gazed at Avery. Earlier, he had been quietly observing the contestants in the arena and had no intention of approaching them. However, when he spotted the beautiful aunt he had met at the airport, he couldn't resist coming forward to watch.He hadn't meant to disrupt the proceedings, but he was pleasantly surprised when Avery recognized him. It felt good.With a hesitant nod, Daniel agreed to participate. Avery's hand remained on his shoulder as she noticed his thick coat despite the summer heat. She raised an eyebrow and expressed concern, "Baby, why are you wearing such a heavy coat in the summer? Aren't you feeling hot? Shall I help you take it off?"Daniel nodded in response and obediently extended his small hand to unzip the jacket, revealing a thick sweatshirt underneath. Avery frowned upon seeing this and swiftly removed his long sleeves, tossing them directly to Elliot, who was standing nearby. She believed there was no need to bundle him up like a rice du
As the crowd looked on, Avery emerged from Exit A, drenched in sweat. She didn't even spare a glance at the onlookers as she turned towards Exit B, hoping to see Daniel there as well.And just as Avery reached Exit B, Daniel appeared. His eyes searched the area, and when he turned around, his gaze met Avery's. Instantly, a delighted smile spread across Avery's face.She thought to herself, "As expected of my son. How could he only be stubborn and troublesome as his eccentricity was described in the advertisement? He is smart. Where did Elliot put his eyes?"Avery hurriedly trotted over to Daniel and enveloped him in her arms, praising him, "Daniel, you're so awesome!"The scene was warm and harmonious. Elliot, who stood not far away, raised an eyebrow, his surprise evident in his eyes. He narrowed his gaze and contemplated.It seemed he had underestimated Avery. She not only understood psychology but also managed to win his son's favor. And now, she had even broken the records in Mich